Doing Their Best

My favourite pub, The Rat Inn, has chosen to close on Mondays.

Not due to Covid.

It’s because they can’t find enough staff to provide the service they are known for.

They’ve tried letting patrons know and still some customers kick off.

After a horrendous 18 months, the hospitality industry is being hit again with the challenge of not being able to find enough people.

And it's not just hospitality. There are staff shortages and stress everywhere.

I have a friend with a transport business which is missing the odd delivery. Not many but it still pains him.

Would you like to be working in retail right now? Supermarket staff are being abused by aggressive shoppers.

The consumer who doesn't know that the venue is short staffed and has high demands is ped off**.

The company which wants to provide great service is psed off**.

The staff who are holding the fort with less hands and resources than are needed are psed off**.

Everyone is...

But what if we were a little more patient?

What, if rather than being demanding, we were tolerant?

What, if instead of wanting everything faster, we were happy to wait just a little longer?

If things were ‘normal’ I would be one of the first to encourage business owners to promise and over deliver.

However, I use a special diagnostic tool. It’s called current reality.

And the reality, right now, is it's harder than ever.

The next time we must wait a little longer, or can't get exactly what we need, or have to make a compromise, please don't kick off with the poor people who work there.

Even in your head.

They’re doing their best.

Instead, flip it; share some love, at least smile and say thanks.

Your best may be different from another’s best.

But it’s still their best.

That's why the popular expression is ‘doing your best’ rather than 'not performing to others' expectations'.

Let me know what you think below.

Be Brilliant!

Michael